*ISLAMABAD: Accountability court here on Monday recorded testimony of lastwitness, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Operations Director GeneralZahir Shah, against former premier Nawaz Sharif and members of his familyin the Avenfield case. *

Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir recorded statement of the witness,after which defence lawyer Khawaja Haris began cross-examining him.

The witness submitted new documents about the Avenfield properties’ownership, bills and tax record which he said were received in response toletters written to the UK authorities for mutual legal assistance (MLA).

Earlier today, Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz appeared before thecourt after their return from London.

The duo wanted to stay put in the UK to take care of ailing Begum KulsoomNawaz undergoing cancer treatment, but had to return after denial ofexemption from court appearance.

The judge adjourned hearing of the Avenfield properties and Flagshipreferences till 2:00pm today due to the absence of prosecution witnessWajid Zia, head of the Joint Investigation Team that probed the Sharifs’offshore properties.

The judge, meanwhile, allowed Sharif and his daughter to leave the court.He put off hearing of Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference till 11:00 amtomorrow.

On April 17, Advocate Amjad Pervez, the counsel of Maryam and her spouse,completed cross-examination of prosecution witness Wajid Zia in theAvenfield case.